#Himalayan Maple

[wickedzeevyln]

Ennui

This is where dreams come to die. My personal Chernobyl. No one told me. So, I asked. Past an age of no return where even open mics are shutdown. Worries pile up like Lego bricks and the loose ones are hard on the foot—barefoot literally, and as I pepper the air with expletives gurgling out of my throat, my life flashes before my eyes. Ouch! Tranquility and I are not in speaking terms and my…

[mysterioushimachal]

Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary - Biodiversity Haven Near Mashobra

Nestled just 4 kilometers away from Mashobra in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, the Reserve Forest Sanctuary stands as a sanctuary of unparalleled natural beauty, teeming with a diverse array of flora and fauna. This sanctuary, ensconced by the majestic presence of oak, cedar, and pine plantations, holds the distinction of being one of Asia’s largest watersheds, adjoined by the meandering Indus…

[shyfoxsky]

Theriotype List

So, to start out, for context, I think we've all seen a skeptic comment about how all therians are only "cool" animals. I personally have always enjoyed keeping up with those with "rarer" theriotypes and even using them as examples when these kinds of arguments are brought up, so I've decided to do a little bit of a personal project, that being creating a huge list of the wide variety within the therian community. Below is the list I've created so far, sorted by general species, then adding in subspecies/breeds, all in alphabetical order.

Please keep in mind and understand that for now, I am only putting Earthen animals on this list, mainly so I and the post can keep up, because there's a LOT here already and I know there are hundreds more out there. This list does need more entries though. If you have a theriotype that you don't see on this list, please comment or reblog and let me know so I can add it! You can follow and find it with the tag "foxskys theriotype list".

Adder - European Agouti Alligator - American Alpaca Ankylosaurus Anteater Argentavis Armadillo - Three-banded Arthropleura Axolotl Badger - American - European - Honey - Japanese - Sunda Stink Baryonyx Bat - Evening - Flying Fox - Vampire Bear - Black - Brown - Polar Bee - Bumble - Honey Beetle - Dor - Stag Binturong Bison - American Bonobo Butterfly - Buckeye Caiman Caracal Cat, Domestic - Bombay - Himalayan - Japanese Bobtail - Lykoi - Maine Coon - Norwegian Forest - Oriental - Ragdoll - Shorthair - Turkish Van Centipede - Amazonian Giant - House - Japanese Giant - Red-headed Cheetah Chickadee Chimpanzee Chipmunk - Eastern Cicada - White Ghost Coatimundi - White-nosed Cockroach Coot - European Cow - Holstein Friesian Coyote Coywolf Crocodile - Nile - Saltwater - Siamese Crow - American - Hooded Cryodrakon Damselfly - Blue-tailed Deer - Axis - Caribou - Hog - Marsh - Red - White-tailed Deinonychus Dilophosaurus Dingo Dog, Domestic - Alaskan Malamute - Australian Shepherd - Beagle - Belgian Malinois - Bernese Mountain - Blue Bay Shepherd - Border Collie - Borzoi - Carpathian Shepherd - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Dalmatian - Doberman - German Shepherd - Golden Retriever - Greyhound - Husky - Irish Wolfhound - Karst Shepherd - Nova Scotia Duck-tolling Retriever - Saluki - Samoyed - Sighthound - Silken Windhound - Wolfdog - Yorkie Dolphin - Amazon River - Common Donkey Dove Duck - Mallard Eagle - Bald - Golden Elk - American - Irish Eusmlius Fish - Arowana - Barbel - Betta - Bichir - Bristlenose Pleco - Carp - Hag - Koi - Pike - Salmon - Zander Fly - Blue Bottle - House Fossa Fox - Arctic - Bat-eared - Blanford's - Corsac - Crab-eating - Gray - Red, American - Red, European - Swift Gecko - Day Goat Golden Cat - Asiatic Goose - Canada Gorilla Grackle Grebe - Pied-billed Guinea Pig Hamster Hare - Brown - European Hawk - Red-tailed Hawk-Eagle - Changeable - Wallace's Hedgehog Homotherium Hornbill Hornet - Bald-faced - European Horse - Akhal-Teke - Clydesdale - Drum - Mustang Hyena - Aardwolf - Brown - Spotted - Striped Ichthyovenator Iguana Isopod Jackal - Black-Backed Jaguar Jay - Blue - Florida Scrub Jellyfish - Moon - White Spotted Jerboa Kangaroo Kaprosuchus Katydid Kestrel - Eurasian Ladybug Lemur - Black-and-white Ruffed - Red-bellied - Red-ruffed Leopard - African - Clouded - Snow Lion - African - American - Mountain Lynx - Bobcat - Canadian - European - Iberian Macaw - Blue-and-Yellow - Hyacinth - Scarlet - Spix’s Magpie - American - Eurasian - Yellow-billed Margay Marten - American Pine - European Pine - Japanese - Yellow-throated Microraptor Millipede - Crested Mink - American - Sea Monkey - Capuchin Moth - Cecropia - Cinnabar - Common Domestic Silk - Gold - Luna - Rosy Maple - Satin Mouse - Harvest - Hazel Dormouse Muskrat Nautilus Newt - Marbled Octopus - Mimic Opossum Orangutan Osprey Otter - Giant - River - Sea Oviraptor Owl - Barn - Burrowing - Snowy - Tawny Panda - Giant - Red Pangolin - Black-bellied - Tree Parpsauropholus Parrot - Kea Peacock/fowl Pigeon Pitohiu - Hooded Plateosaurus Possum Pterosaur Pufferfish Python - Ball Rabbit - Lionhead - Lop-Eared Raccoon Raven - Common Ray - Sting Rhamphorhynchus Sable Scorpion Sea Lion Sea Slug Seagull - Greater Black-backed Seal - Harbor - Weddell Serval Shark - Chain Catshark - Nurse - Oceanic Blacktip - Sicklefern Lemon Sheep - Bighorn - Domestic - Hebridean - Herdwick - Mouflon Sinosauripteryx Skink - Blue-tailed Snake - Banded Sea Sparrow - Common House Spider - Black Widow - Orb Weaver Spinosaurus Squid Squirrel - Eastern Fox - Finlayson's - Gray - Red Stoat Stork - Shoebill Styracosaurus Tamarin - Golden Lion Terrorbird Tiger - Bengal - Siberian - Sumatran Toucan Tyrannosaur Uromastyx Vulture - Bearded - Black - Turkey Wasp - Potter Weasel Whale - Killer - Minke - Pilot - Right Whiptail - New Mexico Wolf - Alaskan - Arctic - Coastal - Eastern - European - Gray - Himalayan - Labrador - Mackenzie River - Maned - Mexican - Northern Rocky Mountain - Northwestern - Red - Tundra Wolfdog Wolverine Zebra - Grevey's - Mountain - Plains

[validwarriorcatsnames]

behold, my rat who I named Warrior Cat. a creature of a rat, an enigma of a rat. always pronounced together, like WarriorCat. the name started as a joke, but it stuck.

her sisters were Maple and NotMaple (they were twin himalayan rats,) so I was apparently going through it with naming at the time

she's magnificent and I love her.

[hudgenssource]

sunlifeorganics: CALI SUN ☀️ Made for you by @caliwater & @sunlifeorganics 🌵🪷 Our peach mango cactus collab smoothie is available at all SunLife locations nationwide for the entire month of April!!!

Refresh, hydrate and drink up the Cali Sun ☀️💧

INGREDIENTS ⁠🪷🌵 Peach Mango CaliWater Mango Strawberry Coconut Sorbet⁠ Goji Berries Maple Syrup SunLife Hydration & Beauty Powder⁠ Coconut Cream Himalayan Pink Salt

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #324

The baking experiment went astoundingly well – even better than I thought it was gonna. This is quite possibly the best cake I've ever made. It is quite possibly the best cake I'll ever make.

...And I want really, really, really badly to tell you all about it. But I can't. I can't because it's a surprise. It's a surprise for the solstice. It's a surprise for the solstice because that's when I like to celebrate your birthday. Unless you can tell me when it actually is, and then I'll celebrate it on that day instead. But for now... this is the date I picked.

So we're both gonna hafta wait. And I really am sorry about it; I wanna tell you about it so badly that it's like the inside of my mind is straining against my skull and throwing a small, excited, joyful little fit, tryna get me to tell ya! But I'm not gonna. And I know it's difficult, quite possibly for both of us. Pouting will get you nowhere because I'm already pouting at myself.

But I promise you... you're gonna love it. I know you're gonna think it's the best thing ever. So please just wait for it, okay? I promise it'll be worth it. We can do difficult things. We can do them together.

...The cake was part of today's additional stress-cooking. I did a lot of stress-cooking yesterday. I didn't do quite as much today. Mostly, aside from the cake, I just made roasted pumpkin seeds and hotdogs.

I dunno if you remember, but not too long ago, I got a couple sugar pumpkins, roasted them, mashed them, and set the seeds aside. One of the seeds had already sprouted, and now it lives with us, and it seems to be doing well (it gets just a little bigger every day!!). The rest were put on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper:

...Ahahaha, I promise ya, I didn't leave 'em jumbled up like that! No, I set the oven to preheat to 300 degrees F (or 148.9 degrees C), and then I coated them in rendered bacon fat; I always save it every time I make bacon because it's EXCELLENT stuff to cook with:

...We, ah... we just gotta melt it in the microwave a little first, hahaha...

...That's better!!

Anyways, so then you stick it on the pumpkin seeds and you jumble them around so they're evenly coated:

After that, we arrange them on the baking sheet in a single layer:

...It definitely took some doing to get them to line up this neatly, holy cow.

We season them after that:

...On the left, there's garlic, paprika, and pepper. On the right, there's maple sugar, coriander, and mace. And over both, there's himalayan salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves!

We stuck them in the oven for a while; I didn't really keep track of the time. I just checked on them every 10 minutes or so until the spices were toasty and they stopped being wet-looking:

...In between, I made myself a couple hotdogs – natural casing, with Frito cheese, onions, ketchup, and mustard:

...It's some really yummy stuff. The roasted pumpkin seeds turned out splendidly, and the hotdogs were delicious, too. I wish I could have shared these things with you.

…

...I wish I could just... sit with you and talk with you for a while. Knowing that you're safe would go a long way towards putting my mind at ease, actually. Even if things are weird where I am, it'd be nice to know that you, at least, are okay.

…

Things are still... ya know. Still kinda scary over here. Power will change hands in January. Right now feels kinda like... kinda like the calm before the storm. I don't know what the future is going to bring. We'll find a way to weather whatever's coming next, but... I kinda wish you could pop by for just a minute and sit next to me.

...Ah. My eyes are leaking again. I gotta get it together...

This morning, I went with M so he could apply for a new passport; his original one expired years ago. And then when I got home, I got in touch with a Canadian immigration lawyer place, and scheduled a consultation. It'll happen tomorrow, after physical therapy.

...I don't wanna hafta leave my home. I don't wanna hafta leave behind all the places I like to go and all the people I like to be around. I think of Ea and Ch from Eggcellent. I think of all the awesome places we can go eat snacks. I think of the nature trails, and places to forage. I think of the grocery stores in my area. I think of the diversity of people, places, and things available to me here, and... I dunno if it'll be the same wherever we go next.

...But we can't stay here. If more than half the people here would like to see me and my family exterminated... if more than half of the people here are willing to sacrifice actual human lives for the sake of the price of eggs going down a few cents... we can't stay here.

…

...I'm worried for all my friends who might not be able to move...

...Well, nonetheless... I suppose one of the next things we should do is all get our English language skills evaluated. We all gotta take a test for that. We should probably get them scheduled soon. And then we gotta get our college degrees evaluated by WES Canada. I'm not really sure what to do after that, but... I guess that's what tomorrow's consult is for.

Well. It becomes late. Got stuff to do tomorrow. I had better get in the shower and then go to sleep.

...Sephiroth. Please stay safe out there, okay? I don't know that I'll be able to avoid crumbling if I don't have you to look towards as an example of what it means to remain steadfast, brave, and kind even when things get weird. You give me a reason to hope for good things, even when I feel lost.

I love you, and I'll write again tomorrow – I promise.

Your friend, Lumine

[clottedblog]

Favourite breakfast? And where's home?

home is a five hour drive away. An ideal breakfast includes my favorite grass-fed vanilla whole milk yogurt with fresh fruit, right now my preference is oranges but usually it'd be a ripe banana topped with raw honey from the bees that my mother keeps in her garden. small cup of coffee with cream and maple syrup, some whipped cream and cinnamon on top if i'm feeling it. some sort of bread, croissant, pastry, toast, etc. one piece of it has salted butter, raspberry jam, and a little bit of extra pink Himalayan salt sprinkled on top. the other piece has a very soft scrambled egg, two eggs preferably, pink salt, and fresh cracked black pepper. eaten at 11am in my bed with the sun shining on me. watching the sopranos on my laptop. the cat in my lap. nothing to romanticize because it's already too good!!!

[snakedealer]

Prosperity Protein Pancakes Recipe

Hi all! I just wanted to share a spell recipe I've been working on for prosperity pancakes. Sounds good, right?

Ingredients

11/2 cup all-purpose flour

31/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt (I used pink himalayan salt, but any salt is fine)

1 tbsp sugar

11/4 cup almond milk

1 tbsp ground flax seeds

3 tbsp water (you can use tap or moon water :))

3 tbsp vegan butter

1/4 tsp cinnamon

< 1/8 tsp nutmeg

2 scoops pea protein (optional)

berries of choice for serving (optional)

maple syrup for serving (optional)

I am vegan hence the plant-based recipe, however feel free to use whatever milk or butter you have, the spell should still work. Let me know if you experiment!

Correspondences

wheat - money, base of the spell

salt - purification, grounding, protection

sugar - love, to sweeten the spell

almonds - wisdom, money, prosperity

flax - money, healing

cinnamon - success, bring in money, healing, luck, prosperity, protection

nutmeg - money, prosperity, luck, protection

maple - love, wealth

peas - money abundance

blackberries - hwaling, protection

mulberries - protection, strength

raspberries - healing, protection

strawberries - success, fortune

Instructions

Soak ground flax seeds in water and melt butter

Sift together dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients. Be sure to tell each ingredient what it is you're using it for, or what you're asking of it. If you're unsure, check the correspondences section :)

whisk together clockwise, repeating affirmations of abundance and fortune (i.e. "money comes to me easily" I attract goodwill and fortune effortlessly)

Oil or butter a hot skillet, pour about 1/4 of batter per pancake. If you want, pour batter in a rune or pentacle shape first.

Flip and cook on either side

Congrats! You're done, enjoy a sweet spell made to make life a little sweeter :)

[dreamsy990]

kingdom hearts characters as chips

me and @whole-bilk-milk have used our incredible scientific technique for character to chip analysis, and here we present the data for your viewing pleasure

sora - lays wavy original OR sunchips roxas - lays barbecue xion - lays salt and vinegar ventus - lays sour cream and onion vanitas - lays dill pickle. because theres something wrong with him

jiminy - bug chips mickey - cheddar ruffles donald - cheddar cheese quackers goofy - scooby snacks

ansem the wise - unsalted saltines ansem seeker of darkness - slutty vegan maple bbq kettle chips xemnas - unsalted baked kettle chips xehanort - kettle lightly salted chips

kairi - cape cod sea salt and cracked pepper, because it sounds interesting and then you realize its not actually as flavorful as you expected. namine - cape cod sweet mesquite barbecue OR sour cream and onion

riku - ranch pringles. i refuse to explain this. repliku - suspicious stew minecraft pringles OR onion and cream prongles

aqua - takis blue heat. because she is blue, and she is not a corn chip. terra - terra sweet potato. self explanatory terranort - terra bloody mary. more self explanatory

cloud - chex mix, because you dont think that combination of flavors should work but it really does. aerith - cape cod pink himalayan salt and red wine vinegar

axel - takis fuego demyx - funyuns and a bottle of sprite. larxene - tangy pickle doritos marluxia - sal de ibiza la vie en rose (they had roses on the packaging and sound pretentious) vexen - a couple of ice cubes and some salt in a ziplock bag xigbar - krinkle cut salt and pepper chips luxord - a poker chip saix - fun keen moon chips

[eatclean-bewhole]

Switch up your boring oatmeal for Coconut Quinoa Porridge! (Yes, porridge is still a thing). 🐻 🥣

INGREDIENTS:

* ¼ cup of quinoa, uncooked

* 3/4 cup of canned coconut milk

* 1/4 cup water

* ½ Tbsp of maple syrup

* ¼ tsp vanilla

* Optional: pinch of Himalayan salt

* ½ cup fresh fruit: berries, pomegranate, citrus fruits, apples, avocado

* 1 Tbsp nuts of choice: walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, pistachios

* Sprinkle of seeds of choice: flaxseeds, pumpkin, chia

* Optional: cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place quinoa, coconut milk, water, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla in saucepan with lid.

2. Bring to boil, then simmer on low for 20-25 minutes.

3. Let sit for a few minutes, then fluff with fork.

4. Serve with fresh organic berries, pumpkin seeds, and sprinkle cinnamon on top.

This is what I served during my Hormone Harmony breakout session at the Women’s Wellness Summit. Enjoy! 🫐

[katiajewelbox]

Happy National Tree Week in the UK!

Can Black Friday be green? It can if you go on a shopping spree at @jurassic_plants ! The average tree absorbs around 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of atmospheric carbon per year, so planting many trees on your property can add up to an positive impact on reducing your carbon footprint in the long term.

Here is my haul from the Black Friday sale at Jurassic Plants, one of my favourite online plant shops in the UK. Late autumn is a great time to buy seedling trees since the deciduous species are less likely to be damaged in transport because they have already shed their leaves and are dormant. In addition, the trees can be planted in larger pots so they are ready to start growing as soon as they break dormancy in spring. In a plant biology context, dormancy is a temporary period of slowed growth which usually coincides with the winter season. Dormancy can also occur in plants living in environments with designated dry seasons or other times of the year that are generally unsuitable for growth. For most deciduous trees, the trigger is falling temperatures and shorter day lengths.

This year, I welcomed the following species to my ever-expanding family of trees: Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut Acer sterculiaceum - Himalayan, Pungent Maple Zelkova serrata - Japanese Zelkova Zanthoxylum piperitum - Japanese Pepper Tree Vitex agnus-castus - Chaste Tree Toona sinensis - Onion Tree, Chinese Cedar, Chinese Mahogany Sorbus domestica - True Service Tree, Sorb Tree Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweet Gum Tree Ginkgo biloba - Maidenhair Tree Cydonia oblonga - Common Quince Cornus mas - Cornelian Cherry Cercidiphyllum japonicum - Toffee Apple Tree, Katsura Tree Cephalotaxus harringtonia - Japanese Plum Yew Aesculus glabra - Ohio Buckeye Aesculus californica - Californian Chestnut Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala - Amur Maple Acer monspessulanum - Montpellier Maple Acer cissifolium - Ivy Leaved Maple

[trekyaaritrips]

Looking for a Beginner-Friendly Himalayan Trek? Here’s why Hampta Pass should be your first

Do you also feel that Himalayan treks are difficult?  And do you keep thinking, ��Is the trek safe or not?” “Can beginners go for their first trek in the Himalayas?”

Don’t Worry - many people feel the same before their first high-altitude trek. But everything changed when they heard about the Hampta Pass Trek. 

Hampta Pass Trek is safe, full of natural beauty, a high-altitude trek, and perfect for beginners. That’s why many people had a great first-time trekking experience here. 

So, don’t be scared, and here’s everything you should know about the Hampta Pass trek. 

Hampta Pass Trek Overview

The Hampta Pass trek starts from Jobra, which is at an altitude of 9,200ft in Himachal Pradesh and takes us up to an altitude of 14,100ft. You won’t believe it, but on this trek, you get to see two completely different landscapes- on one side lush green meadows of the Kullu Valley, and the other, the snowy desert 

of Lahaul. 

The trails are exciting yet safe. Once you cross Shea Goru, it feels like you’ve entered a whole new world. The entire trek takes about 4 to 5 days to complete and covers around 30km, which also gives your body enough time to adjust to the high altitude. That’s what makes this trek perfect for beginners. 

Daily, you will trek around 8-10km, which takes about 4 to 7 hours, including plenty of rest stops along the way. Plus, the landscapes keep changing throughout the trek, which boosts the excitement level on every step of the trek. 

Diverse Landscapes

One of Hampta Pass Trek’s eye-catching things is that the landscapes (scenery) change every day as you trek. Not a single day feels the same. As we start our trek from Jobra it is surrounded by lush green forests of pine, maple, and deodar trees. On the second day, we entered into wide alpine meadows, with river crossing, and wildflowers. As we trek towards the summit on our path we will pass through glaciers, rocky paths. Truly, When it comes to the Hampta Pass Trek, no words can do justice. The landscapes are so diverse, and every view along the way is completely different and unique. 

Best Season For Hampta Pass Trek

Hampta Pass trek is a high-altitude trek, so it is most suitable for beginners only for 4 months of the year June to September. During this time, the snow starts melting and the trekking trails become clear and safe. The weather conditions in these months are also good. Days are neither too hot nor too cold, but nights are so chill, so you need 4 to 5 layers.

July and August are monsoon months, so it rains regularly. But this rain also brings trails covered with lush green meadows and filled with Himalayan Blue Poppy and Pink Hill Geranium. Believe it or not, during August Hampta Pass looks like the Valley of Flowers filled with colorful flowers. 

Some trekkers also trek in May but it is strictly not recommended for beginners due to heavy snow and paths are not clear so it is so risky and difficult. 

How to reach the starting point of the trek 

The Hampta Pass Trek starts from Jobra, but the starting point of this trek is Manali because Manali is the closest hill town from Jobra which is only approx. 16km. Manali is directly connected and easily reachable by bus, train, and flight. 

From

To

Mode

Time

Approx.Cost(INR)

Delhi

Manali

Volvo/Bus

12-14hrs

900-1500

Delhi

Bhuntar

Flight

1.5hrs

3000-5000

Chandigarh

Manali

Bus/Car

8-10hrs

800-2000

Bhuntar

Manali

Taxi/Bus

1.5hrs

500-1000

How to Pack For Hampta Pass Trek as a Beginner

The most important thing before going on a trek is to pack your bags properly because in the mountains it is difficult to find things easily and even if you find them, they are usually very expensive. So it is better to pack everything from home and carry all the essentials with us.

Category

Items

Backpack

40L-50L with a rain cover

Footwear

Trekking shoes +basic slipper

Clothing

Thermal, fleece, jackets

Accessories

Woolen cap, gloves, socks, sunglasses, raincoat, poncho

Toiletries

Toothbrush, toilet paper, wipes, towel

Medical Kit

Band-aids, painkillers, paracetamol, personal medicine

Tools and Gear

Torch, water bottle, stick, power bank

Skincare

Sunscreen, lip balm, moisturizers

Be smart while packing, do not pack heavy jeans or jackets as they are bulky and if they get wet, they take a very long time to dry. Don’t forget to carry cash as in mountain regions there are no ATMs and signals. 

Essential Safety Tips For Hampta Pass Trek

To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness spend one day or night at Manali. So your body gets the perfect time for adjusting to high altitude.

During the trek, if you feel severe headache, nausea and other health symptoms immediately inform your guide or trek leader. 

Use proper and branded trekking shoes with ankle support and perfect grip.

As the weather at night is cold. Don’t forget to carry 4-5 layers and extra pairs of socks and gloves. 

Hampta Pass Trek is a rare monsoon trek so it can rain during trekking. Highly recommend packing a carry raincoat, poncho, and bag cover. 

Drink water and have protein bars during trekking to keep your body hydrated.

Mobile networks are not available in the higher regions. Inform your close ones before your trek starts. 

What a Beginner will learn after completing Hampta Pass Trek

Hampta Pass trek is kind of a Treasure full of knowledge and adventure for beginners. As first-time trekkers, beginners will notice how the human body reacts at high altitudes, and how to safely walk on rough paths. The first trek is always special as it connects our soul with nature and gives a different kind of positivity. After a long trek when you are completely tired, when you reach the summit it's totally rewarding and makes you feel like hard work pays off.

[tameblog]

Hi GPODers! Yesterday we got an update from Beth Tucker, a frequent contributor based in North Carolina (check that out here if you missed it: Irises and More). Today we’re on the opposite coast to visit another friend of the blog, Lila Johnson, in Mill Creek, Wash. (Zone 8b). Hello, it’s me again. We are experiencing one of our first warm, sunny mornings here in Mill Creek, just North up I-5 from Seattle, so after I enjoyed my coffee on the patio, I wandered through our backyard and snapped some photos . . . mostly green foliage! My husband and I, both in our early 80s, have planted mostly geraniums, impatiens, and pots full of a variety of summer annuals. So in spring, it’s the green tones that capture our attention, along with some of our trusty purple clematises, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Our geraniums, purchased in early April, had to be put inside the garage every night due to the chilly temperatures. We couldn’t plant them until just after Mother’s Day. Even some of the daytime temperatures were below 45 degrees! They suffered a bit, but they are finally full of buds and awaiting sunny days like today! We have been inundated with hungry rabbits the past four to five years, and although we use more than 25 wire cages and some interim plastic fencing in the early spring, they have forced us to make changes in what annuals we plant—no more zinnias, petunias, or marigolds. They eat our roses, low-growing Japanese maples, conifers, deer ferns (Struthiopteris spicant syn. Blechnum spicant, Zones 5–8), hostas, black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, Zones 6–11), liatris (gay feather), and echinacea. So far, the rabbits have not developed a taste for impatiens or geraniums! We hope you enjoy our spring greens in the Pacific Northwest! When the garden is still coming into color during spring, perfectly placed art can do some heavy lifting. These shiny silver salmon sculptures look marvelous swimming through Lila’s beds and are made even more spectacular by the chartreuse grasses that reflect on the salmon’s stomach. In the shady areas, I plant white impatiens, which are nestled in among the many deer ferns (Struthiopteris spicant syn. Blechnum spicant, Zones 5–8), sword ferns (Polystichum munitum, Zones 5–9), hostas, Jacob’s ladders (Polemonium reptans, Zones 4–8), and Himalayan maidenhair ferns (Adiantum venustum, Zones 5–8). Another look at this shady spot and the gorgeous water feature; Lila’s spring plant palette is calm and soothing, and the sound of running water from these tall fountains adds to the tranquility. When a plant pairing isn’t remarkable in color, textures and forms step up and show off. A small ladybug decoration is another touch of personality to make this vignette a little more fun. As Lila mentions above, she mixes several different ferns for interest in the shade. The distinctly different western sword and Himalayan maidenhair ferns pair wonderfully with a chartreuse hosta. A reflective blue garden orb adds a cool color. Another perspective on a sensational sword fern Not green, but PURPLE! It’s taken a few years, but we’ve finally got a thriving H. F. Young clematis (Clematis ‘H.F. Young’, Zones 4–9) established on the west side of our arbor. ‘The President’ (Clematis ‘The President’, Zones 4–8) on the right is in its second year—keep your fingers crossed! Along the 4-year-old gravel pathway, I like to keep the color palette to purples/whites for a cool, shady feel on those hot summer days that will be coming soon. A close-up of the showy blooms on Lila’s ‘H. F. Young’ clematis. This plant is absolutely covered in these absolutely massive flowers, but I love that she opted for a different variety for the opposite side. Lila’s ‘The President’ clematis is still coming into its own, but already producing a handful of outstanding blooms. And in the background, you can see that green and purple aren’t really the only colors to put on a show in her garden. This year: white geraniums, purple liatris with purple heliotrope in the new lime-green pots. Thank you so much for another fabulous selection of photos from your garden, Lila! Your sea of green is far from boring with the variety of plants you pair together, and the pockets of purple are like cherries on top of your lush designs. What colors reign supreme in your spring garden? Is there a color palette you prioritize every year, or does your landscape flourish in green like Lila’s? Let us know in the comments, or consider sharing photos of your spring garden with the blog. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.   We want to see YOUR garden! Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Telescopes from 4 to 7'. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning. Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Hi GPODers! Yesterday we got an update from Beth Tucker, a frequent contributor based in North Carolina (check that out here if you missed it: Irises and More). Today we’re on the opposite coast to visit another friend of the blog, Lila Johnson, in Mill Creek, Wash. (Zone 8b). Hello, it’s me again. We are experiencing one of our first warm, sunny mornings here in Mill Creek, just North up I-5 from Seattle, so after I enjoyed my coffee on the patio, I wandered through our backyard and snapped some photos . . . mostly green foliage! My husband and I, both in our early 80s, have planted mostly geraniums, impatiens, and pots full of a variety of summer annuals. So in spring, it’s the green tones that capture our attention, along with some of our trusty purple clematises, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Our geraniums, purchased in early April, had to be put inside the garage every night due to the chilly temperatures. We couldn’t plant them until just after Mother’s Day. Even some of the daytime temperatures were below 45 degrees! They suffered a bit, but they are finally full of buds and awaiting sunny days like today! We have been inundated with hungry rabbits the past four to five years, and although we use more than 25 wire cages and some interim plastic fencing in the early spring, they have forced us to make changes in what annuals we plant—no more zinnias, petunias, or marigolds. They eat our roses, low-growing Japanese maples, conifers, deer ferns (Struthiopteris spicant syn. Blechnum spicant, Zones 5–8), hostas, black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, Zones 6–11), liatris (gay feather), and echinacea. So far, the rabbits have not developed a taste for impatiens or geraniums! We hope you enjoy our spring greens in the Pacific Northwest! When the garden is still coming into color during spring, perfectly placed art can do some heavy lifting. These shiny silver salmon sculptures look marvelous swimming through Lila’s beds and are made even more spectacular by the chartreuse grasses that reflect on the salmon’s stomach. In the shady areas, I plant white impatiens, which are nestled in among the many deer ferns (Struthiopteris spicant syn. Blechnum spicant, Zones 5–8), sword ferns (Polystichum munitum, Zones 5–9), hostas, Jacob’s ladders (Polemonium reptans, Zones 4–8), and Himalayan maidenhair ferns (Adiantum venustum, Zones 5–8). Another look at this shady spot and the gorgeous water feature; Lila’s spring plant palette is calm and soothing, and the sound of running water from these tall fountains adds to the tranquility. When a plant pairing isn’t remarkable in color, textures and forms step up and show off. A small ladybug decoration is another touch of personality to make this vignette a little more fun. As Lila mentions above, she mixes several different ferns for interest in the shade. The distinctly different western sword and Himalayan maidenhair ferns pair wonderfully with a chartreuse hosta. A reflective blue garden orb adds a cool color. Another perspective on a sensational sword fern Not green, but PURPLE! It’s taken a few years, but we’ve finally got a thriving H. F. Young clematis (Clematis ‘H.F. Young’, Zones 4–9) established on the west side of our arbor. ‘The President’ (Clematis ‘The President’, Zones 4–8) on the right is in its second year—keep your fingers crossed! Along the 4-year-old gravel pathway, I like to keep the color palette to purples/whites for a cool, shady feel on those hot summer days that will be coming soon. A close-up of the showy blooms on Lila’s ‘H. F. Young’ clematis. This plant is absolutely covered in these absolutely massive flowers, but I love that she opted for a different variety for the opposite side. Lila’s ‘The President’ clematis is still coming into its own, but already producing a handful of outstanding blooms. And in the background, you can see that green and purple aren’t really the only colors to put on a show in her garden. This year: white geraniums, purple liatris with purple heliotrope in the new lime-green pots. Thank you so much for another fabulous selection of photos from your garden, Lila! Your sea of green is far from boring with the variety of plants you pair together, and the pockets of purple are like cherries on top of your lush designs. What colors reign supreme in your spring garden? Is there a color palette you prioritize every year, or does your landscape flourish in green like Lila’s? Let us know in the comments, or consider sharing photos of your spring garden with the blog. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.   We want to see YOUR garden! Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here Fine Gardening Recommended Products Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil. ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs. Telescopes from 4 to 7'. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning. Source link